Oak Creek Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.5 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
410.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Oak Creek, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oak Creek | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Oak Creek compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Creek, California | 145.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| El Camino Real, California | 145.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Woodbridge, California | 145 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Northwood, California | 146 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Westpark, California | 145 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Oak Creek compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Creek | 145.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Oak Creek's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Oak Creek, California, in Orange County — an Orange County community adjacent to Irvine and Laguna Hills in the south Orange County suburbs — receives its water from the Irvine Ranch Water District, drawing from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) imported supply and local wells through the south California distribution.
The hard 145.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 410.9 mg/L reflect the Orange County supply's hard blended character — the Miocene Puente Formation and Quaternary Orange County Basin alluvium are calcareous formations in the Los Angeles Basin; the local groundwater component concentrates higher hardness and TDS relative to the softer MWD imported water (compare Irvine CA: 141/400 in Orange County comparable; Laguna Hills CA: 149/422 in Orange County comparable; Oak Creek consistent hard from the same Orange County MWD/well blended Miocene calcareous supply). The Orange County Basin — Miocene Puente Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Orange County Basin alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Los Angeles Basin playa deposit (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 145.5 mg/L with TDS 411, Oak Creek's water is hard — scale builds in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Irvine Ranch Water District's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Oak Creek in Orange County draws from the Irvine Ranch Water on the Metropolitan Water District import and local wells (Orange County, south California) — the Los Angeles Basin at Orange County draws from Miocene Puente Formation (calcareous) and Quaternary Orange County Basin alluvium (calcareous) — California Orange County MWD/well blended Miocene calcareous supply produces hard water at 145.5 mg/L with TDS 410.9 mg/L.